Thailand SINKING:South Thailand flood / About a quarter of the country remains inundated by floodwaters, affecting about two million people from 19 provinces in the northern and central regions, since flood hit the country in stages on July 25.

Vietnam SINKING:Salt water has encroached into the sweet of Bac Lieu, Soc Trang. In Ca Mau, the construction of the sewer should not simultaneously prevent saline had no effect, and also salt water intrusion into the province of Kien Giang, Hau Giang. Kien Giang alone, saltwater intrusion into fresh areas of 4-6 km. Salt water from the mouth of the canal was Rach Gia Rach Gia - Ha Tien and Rach Gia from entering the channel-Long Xuyen, from the river Vam Rang (Rang Vam sewer construction is not completed) on the canals of Rach Gia - Ha Tien, the Luynh area Huynh, Vam Ray. Estuarine salinity from Rach Soi in Cai San canal (Kien Giang, Can Tho), from channel to channel KH5 Giong Rieng, Cai Lon River (Ca Mau) to Go Quao canal district (Kien Giang). In An Giang, salty from the channel Rach Gia - Ha Tien, channel Rach Gia - Long Xuyen district into communes bordering the provinces of Kien Giang - Voice Son district, An Giang./

Pakistan SINKING:The fact that thousands of acres of agricultural land in Sindh, is still under floodwater.

New Zealand : The government says the reasoning behind the widespread red zoning here in Brooklands was due to massive land subsidence making it vulnerable to flooding. But locals here say that is not an issue.“We're very determined to stay here; we'll go to any measure to stay here. And like a lot of people have said, stay here with generators.”!Malaysia SINKING:Floods hit 3 states. Heavy rainfall which lasted for six hours here on Sunday caused flooding at Kampung Laut and Poh Chee Leng near Skudai. A total of 495 people from 119 families were evacuated as water rose to almost 2m in the areas.

Pakistan:

Just a story, is it?

Business Recorder Logo While it remains to be seen whether the "Memogate" affair proves as earthshaking as did the "Watergate" affair for President Richard Nixon, it has certainly caused the regime to go on the back foot.

With the credibility of all its spokespersons in tatters, what it can't do is to rebut the allegations credibly.

Mullen didn't find the controversial memo at all credible and took no note of it, then or later, nor discuss it with anyone, it should put to rest the 'credibility' of the memo."

But this issue can't be brushed under the carpet because it is creating serious doubts in peoples' minds about what goes on behind the screen and when things would explode - a scenario that frightens everyone, especially potential investors in Pakistan's economy; without reviving their confidence that the economic slide won't stop.

What strengthens doubts about official rebuttals of the role of Pakistan's ambassador in the US (and others) in drafting the controversial memo (that Adm.

Mullen now acknowledges having received) is the fact that the regime is indeed under threat from various sections of society because of its own actions.

The imposition of martial law was never an accident; in each case, politicians' indulgence in dirty politicking led to social and economic chaos that provided the Army the excuse to overthrow civilian regimes.

None of the political parties in power at the time convincingly tried to fix these issues to avert that outcome.

After being overthrown, they all claimed being victims of the Army.

To-date, no political party has displayed by its conduct (when in power) an understanding of the huge variety of economic challenges that Pakistan faces.

Each party considered its rise to power a victory, but showed no sense of the huge responsibilities it assumed.

PPP, now in its fourth term in office, has displayed zero concern for addressing these challenges, regrettably so, in a global recession that made these challenges twice as demanding.

Instead, PPP's leadership conveyed the impression that it thought it was its final chance to grab whatever it could.

This conduct breeds grave doubts: does the PPP believe that Pakistan will fall apart soon, or is it that it knows that its present conduct will cause irreparable damage to its reputation leaving no chance of a return to power? If that's not true, embezzlements in state offices shouldn't go on unpunished as they do.

PPP leadership has no time for containing the escalating economic chaos be it in the energy, power, irrigation, agriculture, health, education, industry or services sectors, or law enforcement.

All you see is resource waste and mismanagement by the state, both triggered by corruption to benefit a select band of politicians.

IMF's Assistant Director in Pakistan has again warned the regime that it must initiate structural and managerial changes in the power sector because price hikes alone aren't the solution.

That only equitable taxation of all economic sectors and credible use of tax revenue will build investor confidence to sustain economic growth.

The West is always willing to sustain corrupt 'democratic' regimes in the Third World to ensure that the Third World remains forever the exporter of raw commodities.

Faulting political parties or social groups could therefore not build a case for seeking US protection; a threat from the Army certainly could.

But if the rage of society becomes unmanageable (and in all likelihood it would) it will establish undeniably the incompetence of the PPP and loss of its right to stay in power because it will prove that it can't address the challenges Pakistan faces; all it wants is to silence its genuine critics.

The offices of the Finance Minister and the Governor of the Central Bank are of utmost importance for any regime.

But the frequency with which individuals occupied these offices and quit in the last four years is, by itself, an undeniable proof of PPP's low concern for stabilising Pakistan's economy.

There is enough evidence to show that the PPP isn't committed to serving the best national interests.

A glaring example thereof is that it refused to implement the 'austerity plan' that one of its own finance ministers had prepared.

Rumour has it that this plan was the reason for his exit.

During PPP's last four years in power, the largest-ever number of key state-owned enterprises came close to bankruptcy.

Just look at the state of Pakistan Steel Mills, Pakistan International Airlines, Pakistan Railways, National Insurance Corp, Water & Power Development Authority, and the rest.

What went on in the key accountability offices too is no secret.

Look at the performance of the National Accountability Bureau and Federal Investigation Authority.

How these offices were used to serve PPP's political ends has repeatedly been pointed out by none less than the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

The much-touted devolution of power served only to weaken the federal institutions because, given their weak supervisory capabilities (that should have been strengthened before implementing the devolution plan), provincial administrations are turning these otherwise fairly well-managed institutions into inefficient ones.

The way the flood tragedies of 2010 and 2011 were handled shows that PPP is not bothered even about its core vote bank in Sindh.

No one knows how much will be the food shortfall (and the real CPI) in the days to come, given the fact that thousands of acres of agricultural land in Sindh, is still under floodwater.

None in the regime seems bothered about knowing the real population of Pakistan to know the actual demand side.

Nor is anyone interested in disclosing the poverty statistics.

A regime that deliberately ignores these key indicators is hardly a 'peoples' regime that is fit to govern.

The PPP simply refuses to accept that its profile of governance has been deficient in every respect, reflecting both incapacity and lack of will to improve the state of the economy - a failure that could cause its exit.

What it needs to do is take a look inside its own shirt instead of blaming the opposition or the Army.

A WORLD with 7 billion people, threats from a changing climate and unsustainable resource use are intensifying pressure on humanity and world governments to transform the way food is produced, distributed and consumed. This global issue brings both responsibility and opportunity for Australia.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation estimates 75 million to 130 million people were pushed into malnutrition and poverty when food prices spiked in 2008, and another 40 million joined them after this year's price spikes. There are many regions where large gaps exist between actual and potential production, and an estimated 12 million hectares of agricultural land is degraded each year.

Up to a third of all food harvested is lost or wasted as it is processed, distributed or consumed in our homes. Climate change is expected to exacerbate the problem: increasing temperatures, altered rainfall patterns and more severe weather will lead to dire social, economic and ecological consequences. Vietnam's fertile, low-lying Mekong Delta is already experiencing ingress of seawater.

The global challenge is to increase agricultural productivity and decrease our environmental footprint while adapting to changing climate patterns. We must increase global food production by 2050 by between 30 and 80 per cent while halving our greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.

This is the task facing the Commission on Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change. The commission, chaired by Britain's chief scientist, Professor John Beddington, is calling for urgent action by governments, international institutions, investors, agricultural producers, consumers, food companies and researchers. It wants food security on the agenda at the next round of international climate change talks in Durban, South Africa, in recognition of its inextricable link with climate change. The commission's blueprint urges seven key steps:

■Integrate food security and sustainable agriculture into global and national policies.

■Significantly raise the level of investment in sustainable agriculture and food systems.

I believe Australia will play a unique role in this transformation. Despite our highly variable and challenging climate, many sectors of Australian agriculture have achieved an extraordinary annual productivity increase of 2 per cent or more for the past 30 years. We feed 60 million people each year and we are one of only 15 countries around the world that export more food than we import. The rapid growth of mega-cities in our region will mean growing markets for the food we produce.

Future climate change brings new challenges to lifting agricultural production, but Australia is well placed.

We hold the world record for the lowest proportion of rainfall ending up in river systems, with a staggering 89 per cent evaporating. Our temperate areas have the world's highest year-to-year variability of run-off. By 2030, climate change is likely to cut average river flows by 10 to 25 per cent in some areas of southern Australia. A key driver for achieving rapid adoption of new technologies and practices is partnership between researchers and farmers. Australian agricultural research has a long history of innovation and collaboration with farming industries and communities that can be harnessed to deal with the challenges of food security and climate change.

Across Western Australia grain growers have lifted production through better practices, such as conservation agriculture, despite lower rainfall. In Vietnam, where saltwater is intruding, some farmers have turned rice paddies into shrimp ponds. Our irrigators can now use precision satellite data, soil moisture and evaporation rates to determine precise irrigation times sent via SMS to their phones. Every one of these efforts can be scaled globally.

Real changes are necessary across the global food system if we are to achieve true food security for all. It will mean a shared commitment across society and around the globe.

Dr Megan Clark is CSIRO chief executive and a commissioner for the Commission on Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change.

Floods in rivers from Quang Tri to Binh Dinh to theAccording to the Meteorological Center forecast - Hydrology central, due to low levels under the influence of northeast monsoon zone with terrain, while on the floor is dominated by thick tropical moist east wind, soin the coming days in provinces from Quang Tri to Binh Dinh will have a moderate rain, heavy rain in some areas to rain and thunderstorms.

This rain can last up to 4-5 days.Upstream flooding of rivers from Quang Tri to Binh Dinh is up to the lower slowly.Forecasting the night 22-11, the rain to be able to rise again and flood the river to Quang Tri and Binh Dinh will be able to last 3-4 days.Prevent flash floods, landslides may occur in the mountainous provinces from Quang Tri to Binh Dinh.

22-11 days, a cold period to strengthen northern, eastern North scattered rain; the west with rain in some places, after all the rain.The northern and central provinces of Central rain, moderate rain, high central private place to very heavy rain and thunderstorms to.Temperatures continue to fall lower.North west to 13-15oC, east of about 15-17oC.Where mountains are reduced to 9-11oC, the lowest mountain, down to 4-6oC.

CPC civilians, Ha Hoa district (Phu Tho) said, in the dike dike km5 +300 to +500 Km7 description Thao River (the upper 400 m Danish People's Committee, the impact of the storm, there were four positionslandslide. Before this situation, the CPC civilians were reported to the households located in dangerous areas to relocate. Social and citizen mobilization, mass embankment with bamboo poles, but not effective. sector functionsHa Hoa district soon overcome the protection of life and production status of the people.

Repeatedly hit by floods during the past month, dyke embankments along the Bo River, running through Phong An and Phong Dien district (Thua Thien - Hue) are erosion, landslides serious, life threatening,activities of more than 100 families living along this river.Initially, local authorities have plans to move people and property in areas at risk.

According to the Economic Chamber of Phu Quoc island district (Kien Giang), the district has more than 710 m coastal erosion, concentrated in the town of Duong Dong and An Thoi and Cua Can commune.In addition, approximately 3,000 m along the coast of the remaining areas have a high risk of landslides.Initially recorded, in addition to erosion as a rule marked by nature, but by businesses and residents caused illegal logging.

According to the Institute for Southern Irrigation Science, the work of preventing salinity, water regulator in the Cuu Long is no longer suitable with the brackish water aquaculture, salt and rice, color.In the area north of Highway 1A in Bac Lieu province, most of the gates were broken, only one of three gates in Gia Rai district activities, salt water has encroached into the sweet of Bac Lieu, Soc Trang.In Ca Mau, the construction of the sewer should not simultaneously prevent saline had no effect, and also salt water intrusion into the province of Kien Giang, Hau Giang.Kien Giang alone, saltwater intrusion into fresh areas of 4-6 km.Salt water from the mouth of the canal was Rach Gia Rach Gia - Ha Tien and Rach Gia from entering the channel-Long Xuyen, from the river Vam Rang (Rang Vam sewer construction is not completed) on the canals of Rach Gia - Ha Tien, theLuynh area Huynh, Vam Ray.Estuarine salinity from Rach Soi in Cai San canal (Kien Giang, Can Tho), from channel to channel KH5 Giong Rieng, Cai Lon River (Ca Mau) to Go Quao canal district (Kien Giang).In An Giang, salty from the channel Rach Gia - Ha Tien, channel Rach Gia - Long Xuyen district into communes bordering the provinces of Kien Giang - Voice Son district, An Giang.

Threatened with a low-lying areas of Ho Chi Minh could be flooded and overflowing embankments broken by the impact of rising tides, flood and storm control Committee has asked city departments and the district reviewcontrol at critical positions, prepare resources and materials available troubleshooting.

Ho Chi Minh City has held two study groups help people in the central provinces to overcome consequences of flooding.Accordingly, given the provinces of Quang Nam a billion, Quang Ngai 500 million, Thua Thien - Hue one billion and 500 million dong in Quang Tri province.In addition, the Group also directly donated gifts for 400 poor families, worth 500,000 VND / gift.

On 20-11, Union Corporation oil and gas exploration (PVEP) has awarded the provincial Fatherland Front Committee of An Giang 600 million to build 10 homes and helped 50 households floodplain districts remedialflooding.To date, the province has been soliciting donations (including cash and in kind) more than 14.7 billion.

Morning of 21-11, the Fund supports the central disaster prevention training capacity for shock rescue teams and rescue commune and village levels in five districts in high-risk areas of Quang Ngai.Students communicated their knowledge and skills in communications, rescue, rescue, first aid, boating, boats used, equipment used for prevention of natural disasters.

More than 500 homeowners in Phatthalung yesterday were rushing to move their belongings to higher ground as flash floods, caused by a heavy northeastern monsoon season hit the South.

Heavy rainfall in the province on Sunday night triggered runoff from the Ban That mountain range to flood areas in Moo 1 of tambon Ta Phaen in Si Banphot district and tambon Phreak in Khuan Khanun district.

Floodwater increased to between 60 and 80 centimetres and made road traffic to villages difficult.

Officials were told to warn people in Phatthalung against more flash flooding and possible mudslides in low-lying areas and those near the foot of the mountain, said Thanakon Trabanphruek, chief of the disaster prevention and mitigation office in the province.

Flash flooding also hit many areas in Hat Yai, the business district of Songkhla on Sunday night.

Floodwater rapidly reached 30cm near Hat Yai Technical College on Songkhla-Hat Yai road. The flood waters are high near Hat Yai University on Phon Phichai-Ban Phu road.

Wanchai Sakudomchai, director of the meteorology centre for the eastern South, said heavy rainfall would hit the area until Saturday and could set off mountain torrents and flash floods in high risk areas in Phatthalung, Songkhla, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.

The Meteorological Department yesterday issued a warning for heavy rains and strong winds in the southern provinces.

According to the warning, a strong northeast monsoon prevails over the Gulf and the southeast coast of Thailand.

People in the area should watch out for flooding during this period as strong waves in the lower Gulf of Thailand are expected to be 2-3 metres high. All ships should proceed with caution and small boats stay ashore,

BANGKOK, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- The Cabinet has decided to postpone its minimum wage policy of 300 Baht (about RM30) a day from Jan 1 to April 1, next year due to hardship faced by private sectors as a result of the current worst flood in five decades.

She said private sector businesses were expected to take between three and six months to recover.

The minimum wage policy in the rest of the 70 provinces would begin Jan 1, 2013, she said.

Currently, the daily minimum wage ranges from 170 Baht to 220 Baht (about RM17 to RM22), depending on the province. The minimum wage policy was one of the main election promises made by the Pheu Thai party which leads the current coalition government.

About a quarter of the country remains inundated by floodwaters, affecting about two million people from 19 provinces in the northern and central regions, since flood hit the country in stages on July 25.

Heavy rainfall which lasted for six hours here on Sunday caused flooding at Kampung Laut and Poh Chee Leng near Skudai.

A total of 495 people from 119 families were evacuated as water rose to almost 2m in the areas.

As of late yesterday, the evacuees were still at the flood relief centre at SK Skudai despite the floods having receded.

"We still need to clean up our homes and we are also worried because it seems the rain will continue, especially in the afternoon," said Zailan Abd Kadir of Kampung Laut.

He said water level had risen very fast on Sunday evening, forcing his family to leave their house without saving any of their belongings.

M. Manimegalai, 17, who is sitting for his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia said he did not manage to save his books when his family were evacuated about 10pm.

"I am glad that one of my teachers fetched me to school this morning for the examination and I think I managed to answer the questions rather well," added the student of SMK Taman Desa Skudai.

There were at least nine other SPM candidates among the evacuees.

Nusajaya state assemblyman, Datuk Abd Aziz Sapian. who visited the evacuees said all assistance, such as food and blankets had been distributed by the Welfare Department.

"We are bracing for more floods in flood-prone areas," he said.

"The flooding was not because of poor drainage system as those had been taken care of during the menteri besar's recent visit here. It's because of the heavy rainfall."

In Batu Pahat, 23 people from four families were evacuated from their homes in Kampung Cahaya Baru and Kampung Parit Sagil in Air Hitam when water rose to more than 3m.

They were sheltered at the multi-purpose hall of Taman Cahaya Baru.

Johor State Security Committee secretary Mohamad Yusri Hashim said all agencies involved in flood relief efforts had been put on alert.

"We are monitoring the weather pattern and level of rainfall at all catchment areas and main rivers. This will enable us to promptly evacuate those in the affected area."

In KUALA TERENGGANU, Zarina Abdullah reports downpour in Hulu Terengganu, Marang and Setiu over the weekend forced some 50 people to leave their homes and take shelter at several relief centres.

Floodwater rose to more than 1.5m in villages Kolam, Kerbau Menyusut, Pengkalan Berangan and Marang.

However, all main roads in Terengganu remained open and there were no casualties to date.

A spokesman for the state Drainage and Irrigation Depatment (DID), said as at 5pm yesterday water levels at the Sungai Setiu river basin and Sungai Marang were at danger level, while at other rivers statewide, the situation had returned to normal.

Its 24-hour operation to monitor the flood situation since Sunday is still open.

You need to be a member of Earth Changes and the Pole Shift to add comments!

One thing I notice in the pictures of flooding in Thailand is how the water is stagnant. It is not flowing, not draining to a lower point. Because it already is at the lowest point! Nowhere for it to go, unless there is more plate undulation to push them back up for a time.